Category: Uncategorized

Now that the Super Bowl is over, and the Vikings have their facilities back ( the Patriots used them), they can begin to deal with who will be their Quarterback in 2018.

You hear the prognosticators, reviewing the pros and cons of Teddy Bridgewater, Sam Bradford, and Case Keenum. They then announce who they think the Vikings should select as their #1 Quarterback. The fact is that it is not up to the Vikings. They will all be free agents in March, meaning the Vikings do not have a Quarterback under contract for 2018. They can sign with whomever they want. This means that the Vikings have a clean Quarterback slate to begin their evaluations.

Teddy Bridgewater – He was activated off the PUP list with 6 games to go in the regular season. I’m sure he anticipated getting back in the starting lineup, as it was always stated after his injury, he was the franchise quarterback, by everyone. That commitment began to erode each week. If I’m Teddy, I’m a little pissed off the way I’ve been treated, essentially being lied to. I might want to sign with anyone other than the Vikings, to spite them.

Sam Bradford – Had a great 1st game, then injured prior to game #2, enabling Case Keenum to step in. Had a respectable 2016. Under contract in 2017 for $18 Million. I think he is a good quarterback, but I don’t think much love was shown to him. In view of the way he has been treated, I’m sure he too, wants to be anyplace other than the Vikings.

Case Keenum – A backup Quarterback his entire career, he was next man up, when Bradford was injured. As he began winning games, his confidence increased, and he improved as a starter. Still, he wasn’t designated as the starter, when both Bradford and Bridgewater were activated. Coach Zimmer would keep all the reporters in limbo, stating it was a game time decision. If I’m Keenum, I might harbor a little animosity, because of the lack of respect, after leading the Vikings to a division title, and a playoff bye.

So when you conversation about Kirk Cousins, it isn’t far fetched. Without a quarterback under contract, it makes complete sense.

Red Bull Crashed Ice Championship will return to St. Paul, MN for the 7th straight year, on January 19th & 20th, 2018.

The event is referred to as “ice cross downhill competition”. After witnessing the event, I think it could better described as “roller derby on sloped ice” or as my wife would say “suicide on ice”. It is truly an exciting event, that the crowd enthusiastically supports. I should point out that the temperature outside, for these events could be close to zero, and many of the attendees have utilized antifreeze(Jack Daniels), to cope.

The course for the fastest skating event in the world, starts at the Cathedral of St. Paul and winds downhill through the City of Saint Paul, for 1,600 feet. The drop from the front of the cathedral to the finish line is 12 stories.

The Red Bull World Tour for Ice Cross Downhill Competition is a tremendously popular, international competition. What you may not know about Red Bull Crashed Ice is:

The skaters reach speeds of 80 miles per hour, shoving and jostling each other, as the only thing that counts, is reaching the finish line.

The World Tour has almost weekly events throughout the world.

The downhill pros, number over 200. With only a few Americans.

The crowds exceed 100,000 at all the Red Bull events.

Last years competition was won by Cameron Naasz, a local Minnesotan. He was the first American, to win a Red Bull event.

Just an Atta-boy to Tyus Jones.

He has played terrific lately, but doesn’t get any accolades from the coaching staff, or the media, but is praised by his team mates.Since Teague has been out:

Tyus has lead the team to a 5-3 record.

They have won 4 straight.

Wins over New Orleans, Cleveland, & Oklahoma City.

7 in a row at home.

The highlight of this period, was when LeBron James referred to Tyus as Tyler Jones, while being interviewed before the game, Then Tyler (Tyus) plays a great game and actually dunks with LeBron trailing. The audience went crazy.

Tyus is only 6-1, but is a terrific point guard. The word that defines Tyus, is winner. When he was a freshman at Duke, he led Duke to the national title, and was named most valuable player. That is not a fluke, that is a Winner……….

Two Winnipeg Jets, Matt Hendricks and Dustin Byfuglien, went fishing, on a day off, from NHL play. They went up north to the Fraser River, hired themselves a luxury fishing guide service. The Company selected was named Sturgeon Slayers. The excursion cost $849 dollars for the day, provided for a boat, 2 fisherman, the professional guide, for 8 hours.

They caught themselves a 10 foot long, and 1,000 pounds Sturgeon. It is illegal to keep a sturgeon, after catching it. You have to immediately return it to the water, as the Sturgeon, is an endangered species. They are referred to as dinosaur’s, having survived 2 ice ages, and 65 Million years.
Fishin’ Up North In Canada, Can Be A Rewarding Experience.

While having breakfast with a few friends ( Monday Morning Quarterbacks ), we began to discuss the recent performances, of some of our Minnesota sports teams. Before discussing the individual teams, we discussed 2 key axioms that continue to be true:

1 – If you want to know how a player will play, in the future, look at his past. Not always true, but likely.

2- Player has potential. Translation: he’s not good enough, to contribute right now.

Timberwolves

They finished the season on a 6 game losing streak, playing against teams not really playing to win, either out of playoffs, or resting for the playoffs. Their record was 31-51. All the talk says they should be better, but there not. They have upgraded the team, substantially this year, and should take a major step in making the playoffs.

The Wild

Their best season ever. Fans at a fever pitch. No. 2 seed. They just can’t win in the playoffs. I hear all this bs, that they are playing well, the puck just can’t find the net. We are still using the antiquated method, of determining winners by the score, this is not pee wee hockey, where everybody does everything right. The excuses are juvenile. It’s like saying they lost because the Zamboni needs a tuneup.

The Twins

We are optimistic every year, until around mid-season, then they usually tank. This year they took us all, for a stressful roller coaster ride, that led to a wild card play-in game ,against the dreaded New York Yankees, which unfortunately was a loss.. It will be interesting to what moves, the new powers to be, will make. How long have we heard about the potential of Buxton, Sano, Keplar, and Vargas? Pitching won’t get better, with no major additions. We are finally, in the last year of Mauer’s contract, which will leave some money to spend on pitchers.

The Vikings

Once again we were all excited for the 2017 season, when the curse struck again. Arguably our 2 best players, Sam Bradford and Delvin Cook, went down to injury. So talk now, is one of, can we play 500 ball, rather than the previous goal of the Super Bowl.

The hope is to have decent play, from the quarterback position, and hope the newly minted offensive line, performs better than last year. Would also be great if we could get offense generated from Laquan Treadwell and Michael Floyd, after completing his 4 game suspension. Then have Schumer show some gambling and excitement, in his calls.

Gopher Hockey

To summarize, we are the hockey state. We have more D-1 talent than any other state. We used to have a winning tradition. The Gophers tend to start the year, ranked in the top 5, and slowly decline to the teens, and then go to the playoffs and lose.

Gopher Basketball

While they had great season in 2016, they didn’t get one win in the NCAA tournament, and haven’t for several years. Hope is high for 2017 with all the talent coming back, Fitzgerald will be healty, and the addition of top recruit, Washington

You can establish a losing tradition easier than a winning tradition. Take a look at Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Notre Dame, Michigan, LSU: all great winning traditions. Even in Minnesota we have Eden Prairie High School, Hopkins High School, De LaSalle High School. You can have a total market, like Minnesota, that can have a losing tradition.

Of the teams discussed, when was the last time one of those teams, took you to the promised land?

The Minnesota Timberwolves certainly improved their team this off season. They are hoping to make the playoffs this year. That still will be a problem, as the west league leaders, also vastly improved. Lets take a look at the teams and how they potentially improved.

Minnesota Timberwolves

They traded Zack Levine for Jimmy Butler, a 3 time all-star, picked up role player Taj Gibson, picked up Jamal Crawford, another part to the puzzle, and Jeff Teague to handle the point. They will mesh with current roster of potential all-stars in Karl-Anthony Towns, Andrew Wiggins, Gorgui Dieng. They also kept role players Shabazz Muhammad, Tyus Jones, Nemajia Bjelica, and Cole Aldrich.

Golden State Warriors

The defending champs will basically put the same team on the floor. Last years addition of Kevin Durant, put them over the top. With a year under his belt, Kevin should only mesh better with the teams mainstays; Stephon Curry, Draymond Green, Andre Iguodala, Klay Thompson, Shaun Livingston, and JaVale McGee. It’s going to be tough to dethrone the Warriors.
Houston Rockets

They added Chris Paul to an already top 5 team. He will be a great addition to the bearded wonder ; James Harden, Ryan Anderson, Trevor Ariza, and Eric Gordon. They came close last year, but needed a go-to-guy in addition to Harden. Hopefully Chris Paul, can be that guy.

Oklahoma City Thunder

It was obvious last year that Oklahoma City needed additional thunder besides Russell Westbrook. I think its hard to win when one member of the team accounts for 40% of the offense, regardless of how many triple doubles you have. Especially true in the playoffs.
They signed Carmelo Anthony & Paul George. I have to believe there will be fights for the ball, or they can initiate a rule change to have 2 balls on court, at the same time.
They have cast of talent, that has been under utilized. They include Steven Adams, AndreRoberson, and Patrick Peterson. This is a team that’s going to take time. to find themselves. If all the egos can mesh, and they learn how to share one ball, they could surprise.

LA Clippers

They lost Paul, but still have some key pieces in Blake Griffin, & DeAndre Jordan, Austin Rivers, and Danilo Gallinari. If Austin can up his game, and one of their other point guards can play quality minutes, they can match their recent successes.

I don’t see any other teams in the west, that are in the same league, as these teams.

Every Monday morning, I spend a couple of hours going thru all the Sunday NFL games. I’ve got favorites that I follow. I’ve got my fantasy teams, I have to review, and then look at available players. I also follow some of the fun stories that take place every week in the NFL, like standing or not during the national anthem. My wife said why not do a simple post that covers those issues. Just the facts.

The Vikings looked great behind Case Keenum in beating Tampa Bay. Adam Thielen, our local Minnesota boy, had 5 catches for 98 yards, in support of the 34-17 victory.

Lions lost a heartbreaker to the Falcons. It appeared Detroit scored to win the game. But the New York soothsayers said he was short, of the goal line, by half a foot. There were 4 seconds left, but referees said there was a 10 second runoff, therefore the game was over. Stafford looked great.

Eagles won a squeaker over the Giants, as a result of a 61 yard field goal, with no time left, by Elliot, for a 27-24 win. Wentz, former NDSU Bison quarterback, had an OK day.
Miami won over hapless NY Jets 20-6. Cutler was 26-44 for 220 yards, but was unable to drive to victory.

Rookie K. Hunt of the Chiefs, had another great day, picking 172 Yards, and leads the NFL. The Chiefs beat the Chargers 24- 10 to remain unbeaten.

Dew Brees of New Orleans was 22/29 for 200 yards, leading the Saints to a 34-13 victory over Carolina. Adrian Peterson was 9/33 yards. Adrian doesn’t have a 1oo total yards, for the season.

Oakland evaporated. Last week they hit on all cylinders, and this week they had no cylinders, losing 27-10 to Washington. 3 members of the team, are on a lot of my fantasy teams, Lynch, Carr, and Crabtree. This week they combined for 9 fantasy points, and last week they had 72.

Brady Watch: At 40, he was 25/35 for 375 yards, and 5 touchdowns. He generated another come-from-behind victory, winning 36-33 on a touchdown pass to Brandin Cooks with 23 seconds left.

Rodgers led Green Bay to another come-from behind victory, over Cincinnati in overtime 27-24. Rodgers was 28/42, for 313 yards and 3 TD’s.